Netherlorn Churches
Craignish (Ardfern), Kilmelford, Kilninver, Kilbrandon (Isle of Seil)
and Kilchattan (Isle of Luing)
_____________________________________________________________________________
Minister : Rev Dr Kenneth Ross
01852 200565
kennethr.ross@btinternet.com
Website : www.netherlornchurches.org.uk
An easy-going hospitality is a trademark of the Netherlorn Churches. Whether you are a first-time visitor to the area or have lived in Netherlorn all your life there is a place that is yours in the mixed and open communities which come together for worship on Sundays and on other occasions. Drawing inspiration from being located in one of the cradles of Christianity in Scotland we are discovering what the faith means in the world of the 21st century.
See the Netherlorn website for details of services at the different churches.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Ancient-Modern : the significance of the past in the present
Step back for a moment 1500 years and imagine you are in Argyll at the time
when Celtic Christians, led by people like Brendan, Columba and Cattan, were
establishing their monastic communities across its islands and headlands.
Imagine yourself approaching one of these monasteries.
First you would be met by a porter stationed near the entrance whose primary
role is to welcome guests and introduce them to the rest of the community.
You would be taken to meet the abbot who would ask what had prompted your
visit, wash your feet, read a scripture to you and offer a prayer for you. You
would be taken to the guest house and given a bed. You would be invited to
share meals at the abbot’s table. Even if the abbot was fasting he would break
the fast in order to eat with you – there was no higher priority than extending
hospitality to guests. Section 53 of the Rule of St Benedict stated that 'All guests
who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ, for he himself said "I was
a stranger and you welcomed me”.'
If you stayed for a while you would be given a “soul friend” – someone with
whom you could talk about all that is on your mind. You would be invited take
part in small group discussions. You would be offered opportunity for solitude.
And, of course, you would be invited to share in the regular worship of the
community. It was a matter of believing through belonging. The more you came to
feel a part of the community the more you came to share the faith which inspired it
Perhaps in our world too it is the quality of the welcome, the quality of the relation-
ships which gives the ring of authenticity to the good news of Jesus Christ. Words
alone will not be enough. We are bombarded by words every day. Words with a
religious reference have been badly discredited because religion has been used
as a vehicle for oppression or fanaticism. What will communicate is the open heart,
the loving heart which makes room for someone else and shows them the kingdom
of God in the form of acceptance, interest, care, compassion. In his book Ancient-
Future Faith, Robert Webber suggests that in this century, “People come to faith
not because they see the logic of the argument, but because they have
experienced a welcoming God in a hospitable and loving community.”
Kenneth Ross
______________________________________________________________________________
Craignish (Ardfern), Kilmelford, Kilninver, Kilbrandon (Isle of Seil)
and Kilchattan (Isle of Luing)
_____________________________________________________________________________
Minister : Rev Dr Kenneth Ross
01852 200565
kennethr.ross@btinternet.com
Website : www.netherlornchurches.org.uk
An easy-going hospitality is a trademark of the Netherlorn Churches. Whether you are a first-time visitor to the area or have lived in Netherlorn all your life there is a place that is yours in the mixed and open communities which come together for worship on Sundays and on other occasions. Drawing inspiration from being located in one of the cradles of Christianity in Scotland we are discovering what the faith means in the world of the 21st century.
See the Netherlorn website for details of services at the different churches.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Ancient-Modern : the significance of the past in the present
Step back for a moment 1500 years and imagine you are in Argyll at the time
when Celtic Christians, led by people like Brendan, Columba and Cattan, were
establishing their monastic communities across its islands and headlands.
Imagine yourself approaching one of these monasteries.
First you would be met by a porter stationed near the entrance whose primary
role is to welcome guests and introduce them to the rest of the community.
You would be taken to meet the abbot who would ask what had prompted your
visit, wash your feet, read a scripture to you and offer a prayer for you. You
would be taken to the guest house and given a bed. You would be invited to
share meals at the abbot’s table. Even if the abbot was fasting he would break
the fast in order to eat with you – there was no higher priority than extending
hospitality to guests. Section 53 of the Rule of St Benedict stated that 'All guests
who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ, for he himself said "I was
a stranger and you welcomed me”.'
If you stayed for a while you would be given a “soul friend” – someone with
whom you could talk about all that is on your mind. You would be invited take
part in small group discussions. You would be offered opportunity for solitude.
And, of course, you would be invited to share in the regular worship of the
community. It was a matter of believing through belonging. The more you came to
feel a part of the community the more you came to share the faith which inspired it
Perhaps in our world too it is the quality of the welcome, the quality of the relation-
ships which gives the ring of authenticity to the good news of Jesus Christ. Words
alone will not be enough. We are bombarded by words every day. Words with a
religious reference have been badly discredited because religion has been used
as a vehicle for oppression or fanaticism. What will communicate is the open heart,
the loving heart which makes room for someone else and shows them the kingdom
of God in the form of acceptance, interest, care, compassion. In his book Ancient-
Future Faith, Robert Webber suggests that in this century, “People come to faith
not because they see the logic of the argument, but because they have
experienced a welcoming God in a hospitable and loving community.”
Kenneth Ross
______________________________________________________________________________
